That would be today. I woke up giving thanks to God for all the saints that I have been privileged to get to known and who now live life triumphant. I love today because I get to give thanks to God especially for those who have touched my life in many ways and shaped me to be who I now am. I particularly give thanks to God for my American mother, Virginia Hadsell, who lived on this earth till a few weeks ago. I met Virginia in Seoul, Korea in 1988 when I was a student and she was accompanying John - our visiting professor on "Family Ministry". We all fell in love with Virginia who though a white lady was so kind, loving and understanding of our cultures. John and Virginia invited me to live in their home with them the whole summer before I begun my doctoral studies. They introduced me to their friends, culture, language and food of the San Francisco Bay Area. They called me their "Mizo daughter." Virginia took me along with her and let me help her with her work on human rights. My eyes were opened and I learned so much from her. We continued friendship over the years. In 2009 my birth mother died. This year my American mother died. I got married on her birthday some years ago, so we remembered one another on that day each year. I am so thankful to God for sending Virginia to me.
I gave thanks to God for Sue Mooney, my matron of honor at my wedding, who went to God and whose memorial service was last Saturday.When I heard that Sue Mooney had died, all I could imagine in my heart was her soul rising up to heaven wearing a funny hat giggling and laughing, and Dave holding his hand saying "Come on Susie..." with a big grin on his face. What a marvelous picture. I can't even be sad that Sue is not living on this earth anymore. I love her so. She who taught me how to visit the physically challenged, the old, the frail, the sick and the dying. To me she was the saint, my friend my confidant, my big sister, my mentor, my matron of honor at my wedding, and now lives never to die again. Four weeks or so before she died, Sue and I had a long long talk - just like we did long ago - for over an hour. We laughed and giggled, and talked about all the old days of working together. I did not know that was going to be the last time I would have a talk with her on this earth. What a gift it was! I know I will see Sue again as I will Virginia and Dick and all the rest of 'my' saints. That is good enough for me. Sue's battle with sickness is gone and done. She is healed and well completely. For which I give thanks.
Dick Dull was the husband of my good friend Myra who sewed me my first few stoles. I was ordained after receiving a call to be the associate pastor of her church. I arrived without a stole to wear. She was there to supervise the draperies being installed in my office but decided to sew me my first 3 stoles. She had never done it before. She saw the need and took the project upon herself. I lived not far from them and went to their home often. There was Dick who loved to tease me. I ate there sometimes and loved fighting for mince meat pie with Dick. He was a man of few word but always smiling and welcoming. Myra spent a lot of time teaching me how to shop, showing me where things were in town etc, etc. I will miss him - he who planted rose bushes surrounding their house for his wife, who smiled and would always put gas in her car. A good friend can be like Dick, even without talking to you much. I give thanks to God for Dick.
Today I give thanks to God for these and the rest of the saints who now live God.
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